Warning: This article contains graphic images. We recommend viewers’ discretion.
The video, released Friday, shows the brutal and desperate moment during the arrest of a Fullerton man.
Early on April 20, officers saw the suspect holding a smoldering cardboard box in a city park after the suspect closed.
The man who police said was acting in a “unstable” way was identified as 46-year-old Jose Luis Naranjo Cortez. Officials said Cortez has a history of criminal convictions, including voluntary manslaughter, assault with a deadly weapon, abuse of elderly people, illegal sex with minors, possession of drugs, possession of robbery tools, DUI and criminal threats.
Jose Luis Naranjo Cortez of Fullerton is seen in this undated mug shot. (Fullerton PD)
The footage of the bodycam begins with a police officer approaching Cortez at Lemon Park and orders the smoldering cardboard to be placed on the ground.
Cortez initially opposed the approaching officers, saying, “I’m not on probation.”
The officer replies by saying, “I don’t care, put it on the ground. You can’t light a fire in public.”
This exchange continues, but Cortez ultimately follows the officer’s order to sit down, but he continues to be concerned and sometimes illogical. At one point, he tells the officer, “You’re giving me tuberculosis.”
Cortez appears to have been trying to claim that he was about to leave the park, and his brother and the woman were there as well, explaining that they “stole it.” Cortez also says he recently left prison.
Things escalate when an officer currently supported by one other officer begins to approach Cortez and make him stand.
“Where will you take me?” Cortez asks as he reaches for his arm. “You give me tuberculosis, sir,” he again insists, repeating that he is not on probation, asking what he made a mistake.
He becomes apparently upset, his voice cracks and he starts screaming as the officers start to put more force into pulling Cortez up.
“No! You can’t eat me,” exclaims Cortes.
Police are seen arresting a Fullerton man who died soon after, for reasons he has not yet been released. April 2025 (Fullerton PD) Police are seen arresting a Fullerton man who died soon after being released. April 2025 (Fullerton PD) Police are seen arresting a Fullerton man who died soon after being released. April 2025 (Fullerton PD) Police are seen arresting a Fullerton man who died soon after being released. April 2025 (Fullerton PD) Police are seen arresting a Fullerton man who died soon after being released. April 2025 (Fullerton PD) Police are seen arresting a Fullerton man who died soon after being released. April 2025 (Fullerton PD) Police are seen arresting a Fullerton man who died soon after being released. April 2025 (Fullerton PD) Police are seen arresting a Fullerton man who died soon after being released. April 2025 (Fullerton PD)
The situation breaks out when multiple officers jump in and push the now fully resistant Cortez into the ground.
At this moment of argument, the Bodycam officer can be heard saying, “Yeah! He’s biting me!”
The department confirmed the attack and said “while trying to detain the man, the suspect bitten hard in the arm, causing injuries.”
The video continues, showing that more officers arrive and immediately Cortes is fighting in agony to resist to escalate his actions, saying, “If you’re kind, you’ll be kind.”
At one point, an unidentified man claiming to be Cortez’s brother is heard running towards the scene, preventing him from accessing as a few officers leave Cortez. His self-proclaimed brother was later arrested for resisting police and delaying.
Cortez’s movements begin to settle down as he is forced into custody and soothes him long and calm, and conversations are heard between the bitten police officer and others who arrive after the fact while the officer begins to retreat.
Police are seen arresting a Fullerton man who died soon after, for reasons he has not yet been released. April 2025 (Fullerton PD) Police are seen arresting a Fullerton man who died soon after being released. April 2025 (Fullerton PD) Police are seen arresting a Fullerton man who died soon after being released. April 2025 (Fullerton PD) Police are seen arresting a Fullerton man who died soon after being released. April 2025 (Fullerton PD) Police are seen arresting a Fullerton man who died soon after being released. April 2025 (Fullerton PD) Police are seen arresting a Fullerton man who died soon after being released. April 2025 (Fullerton PD) Police are seen arresting a Fullerton man who died soon after being released. April 2025 (Fullerton PD) Police are seen arresting a Fullerton man who died soon after being released. April 2025 (Fullerton PD) Police are seen arresting a Fullerton man who died soon after being released. April 2025 (Fullerton PD) Police are seen arresting a Fullerton man who died soon after being released. April 2025 (Fullerton PD) Police are seen arresting a Fullerton man who died soon after being released. April 2025 (Fullerton PD) Police are seen arresting a Fullerton man who died soon after being released. April 2025 (Fullerton PD) bite marks are seen on the arms of officers who were maintained during violent and ultimately fatal arrests. April 2025 (Fullerton PD) Police are seen arresting a Fullerton man who died soon after being released. April 2025 (Fullerton PD) Police are seen arresting a Fullerton man who died soon after being released. April 2025 (Fullerton PD) Police are seen arresting a Fullerton man who died soon after being released. April 2025 (Fullerton PD)
“Damn it,” says the policeman wearing a body cam. “That’s a bad bite.”
“Are you okay with your hands, man?” I hear one officer ask.
“He got my forearm,” replies the other officer. “So I punched him twice.”
As the scene continues to unfold, police begin to question whether Cortez is breathing, but soon discovers that he is. Cortez will not ultimately stop breathing until paramedics arrive, but life-saving measures begin on the scene.
Police and paramedics are seen trying to detain and save the life of a Fullerton man who died soon after being released. April 2025 (Fullerton PD) Police and paramedics are seen trying to detain and save the life of a Fullerton man who has not yet been released. April 2025 (Fullerton PD) Police and paramedics are seen trying to detain and save the life of a Fullerton man who has not yet been released. April 2025 (Fullerton PD) Police and paramedics are seen trying to detain and save the life of a Fullerton man who has not yet been released. April 2025 (Fullerton PD) Police and paramedics are seen trying to detain and save the life of a Fullerton man who has not yet been released. April 2025 (Fullerton PD)
Footage of the incident ended there, but briefing video of the incident continued, where officials explained that Cortez was taken to the hospital where he was declared to have died there.
“Please note that this is the first review. Understanding of this case may likely change once additional evidence is collected, analyzed and reviewed,” police said at release. “The Fullerton Police Department also does not draw any conclusions as to whether our officers acted within the law until an independent investigation by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office has been completed, until all facts are known.”
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